Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-29

A correspondent discussed IN another column.
the relations OF public rights In street cOnveyances
20 popular manners He contends that there Is no
obligation OF courtesy on the part OF any man who
has seat In car TO give It up 70 young, strong
woman simply because she is a woman, especially
n she has entered the vehicle when IL is already
crowded, and to ride only a few squares. He also
argues that the people have their remedy against
the Carrying corporations in their own hands. and
can By refusing 10 rtie when a car or stag is full
compel the supply OF a larger number OF convey
snces.
AL this, doubtless. Is true We have this remedy
in our own hands. but its enforcement would in
volve 50 much inconvenience that IL would be hard
10 get a large number Of citizens 10 bi nd them
selves by compact TO act in unison: and. with
out a general agreement, any effort to right the
peoples wrongs would be pretty sure TO fall A
more practical plan would be 70 take heroic
measures, and, by popular subscription, raise fund
Tor moving against the corporations through the
courts and taking their charters away. There are
plenty OF vulnerable points at which any OF them
can be attacked and one really serious threat 10 an
nul their franchises would probably bring them 10
terms quicker than all the desuItory warfare they
could be subjected 70. II Is safe to say that not
single street-cGr company In the District OF Col
umbia has lived mp TO the letter OF It's charter 10
say nothing OF the spirit But all have felt calmly
confident that they would escape harm through
popular apathy.
As regards the question OF manners, there IA
room for wide difference OF opinion. To those
men whose gallantry extends TO the point OF
clothing all Of one sex with divinity and treating
all OF the other az common clay, there will be
something shocking In the idea OF our correspond
ent that 10 sit IN the presence OF a standing
woman IL not necessarily impOite. But there is
nothing in II to disturb the equanimlty OF practical
people. Indeed. IL might be that the application
OF a little Indifference in such matters might
result In ennsting womanklnd very generally on
the side OF the public against the corporations
AS things are now, women. as rule,
do not appreciate the Importance OF this
struggle. One OF them enters a crowded car
and In an instant three or four men VINO have
paid for their seats rise TO offer her choice OF
places. No matter what comes to them. she, at
least, IL allowed 10 suffer discomfort. II
these men had sense Of pubic duty as strong
as the instinct OF courtesy which prompts their
sacrifice, they would remain seated and allow
their fair fellow-pasSenger TO dangIe for a while
at the end OF q strap When she has had twenty
or thirty repetitiOns OF this experience she may
he counted among The most Jealous supporters
OF the reform movement, for she knows for her.
SELF in what particulars reform Is necessary.
And yet the chances are ten 10 one that she
Will never be given an opportunity OF conversion
IN this manner, especially II she looks az If she
had grace enough to thank her benefactor for
giving up his rights to her.
So when we reach the conclusion OF the whole
matter. we are met with the fact that We cannot
all walk and we cannot all afford 10 hire special
conveyances. and hence a boycott on overcrowdei
cars Is likely TO prove weakly Intellectual affair.
Moreover. we cannot all resist the kindly feeling
which prompts US 10 give comfort to Others at our
own expense, even for the purpose OF asserting
a great principle. But all can join in applying
raSOlute pressure 10 the cDrDOrafIOnS now I'm ex-
istence In the courts and before Congress till they
are forced, in seif-defenSe. to yield the public
rights; and can, by vigorous enough measures
ensure that no more franchises for public convey
anees shall be granted except with such IRON
bound conditions attached VIII provide a speedy
and inexpensive process Of annulment unless the
obligations which accompany the grant, and which
must cover the supply OF abundant cOnveyances.
are carried ont to the very last jOt and title.